A Valued Partnership
Sharing a Vision for the Future of the Eel River
For many, rivers offer a source of recreation or a peaceful place for reflection. For the Round Valley Indian Tribes, it offers life.
The Round Valley Indian Tribes (RVIT) is a sovereign tribal nation and member of the Two Basin Partnership, a group dedicated to finding a path forward for Pacific Gas & Electric's Potter Valley Project that meets the needs of all communities in the Eel and Russian River basins.
Restoring the salmon and steelhead fishery on the Eel River by providing fish passage to hundreds of miles of historic spawning and rearing habitat is a critical part of the Partnership’s plan and of paramount importance to the Tribes.
Cover Photo: SF Eel River by Mike Wier
Photo: Potter Valley Project, Scott Dam by Kyle Schwartz
The Tribe’s culture is wholly dependent on the river and the community connection it provides. Gatherings are held year round where stories and traditions are passed down from generation to generation. For the Tribes, if they lose the water and fish of the Eel, they lose everything.
“ The health of the Eel River, the fish that swim in it, the water that flows through its banks is essential for our people to live. Our culture depends on it, everything in the ecosystem depends on it – the bears, the eagles, the trees – we don’t exist without it, our culture doesn’t exist without the Eel River. It’s our life. It’s our history. CalTrout understands that.”
– Kat Willits, RVIT Councilwoman
Photo: SF Eel River by Dominic Bruno
South Fork Eel River. Photo: Mike Wier
CalTrout has been a trusted advisor for the Tribes who often rely on the organization to find answer to questions outside of the Tribe’s knowledge base. Together, CalTrout and RVIT are working to improve the natural resources of Native American Tribes indigenous to the Eel River.
“CalTrout’s mission is to save the fish. We are like-minded people. Our Tribes stand on a resolution to realize a free-flowing Eel River, but we can’t do it ourselves. Our friendship with and trust in CalTrout will help get us there.”
– RVIT President Russ
